The next day, Thunderspite escorted Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Rarity to the train station. They had all had a wonderful time catching up with Twilight Sparkle, and recounting all their adventures in Ponyville with Thunderspite that had happened while she’d been gone, but they all knew that they were needed back in Ponyville. There were dresses to be made, apples to buck, sweets to be baked, and critters that needed caring for.

They all stood on the train platform, hugging and saying their goodbyes. “Are you sure you won’t come back to Ponyville with us?” Apple Bloom was asking.

Thunderspite knelt down to her level. “I wish I could, Apple Bloom. But I have a lot of unfinished business to catch up on here.” Little Apple Bloom threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. As they parted, she pecked his cheek.

“You’ll come to visit us, won’t you?” asked Fluttershy as he stood.

“Every chance I get. I promise," said Thunderspite.

Maybe when you come visit I can throw you a party?!” asked Pinkie Pie, excitedly.

Thunderspite sighed. “Alright, Pinkie. When I come to visit, you can throw me a party.”

“Yay!” Pinkie Pie bounced in delight.

Rarity stood in front of him and tugged at his sleeves. “Well, that uniform certainly does suit you, Thunderspite.” Her lip quivered almost imperceptibly. “But it’s a little long in the sleeve. Perhaps when you come by, you’ll let me touch up the hems for you.”

Thunderspite smiled. “You know, it does feel a little long in the sleeve. I’ll take you up on that, Rarity.” Rarity returned his smile then turned away, trying to hold back her tears.

Rainbow Dash and Thunderspite slapped wings. “Your snake stance still needs work,” Thunderspite said, “and you always overextend a bit. Try to keep your hooves underneath you, yeah?”

Rainbow Dash saluted. “Sir, yes sir!” Thunderspite let it slide.

At last, Thunderspite stepped in front of Applejack, who looked away and brushed her arm with her hoof. He regarded her for a moment, then turned to the others. “Why don’t you all go ahead and get on the train. I want to talk to Applejack for a moment.”

The others agreed, went aboard, and found their seats. When they did, they looked out the window to see Thunderspite and Applejack engaged in what looked like a weighty conversation.

“What do you suppose that’s about?” asked Fluttershy.

“I think I could venture a guess,” said Rarity, somberly. Through the window, they saw Applejack look away. After a moment, Thunderspite put his hoof under her chin and forced her to meet his eye. There was another moment of tense conversation, then Thunderspite must have said something funny, because they both laughed. Then Thunderspite put one hoof to his eye.

“Pinkie Promise! He made a Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

Then Thunderspite and Applejack embraced, unabashedly. Thunderspite squeezed Applejack so hard that her hat threatened to fall off. They stayed that way for a full minute, until the conductor called ‘All aboard.’ Then the two finally parted with a last goodbye, and Applejack trotted aboard.

She wore a little smile when she stepped into their cabin. The others all watched her, curious but not wanting to ask directly, but Applejack offered no explanation. As she took her seat, the train lurched forward.

“Welp!” said Rainbow Dash. “I’d say we owe Princess Celestia the mother of all friendship reports, wouldn’t you say?”

“Oh yeah!” said Pinkie. “I totally forgot!”

Rarity brought her pen and quill out from her bag, and with everyone’s help, they began to compose.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Our experiences with Thunderspite have reminded us of the importance of not judging a book by its cover and not jumping to conclusions, especially when matters of friendship are concerned. But most importantly, we learned the importance of forgiveness. We learned that it’s important to always talk out your problems, because holding resentment in your heart is something that can destroy any friendship.

Your loyal subjects,

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Rainbow Dash

Author's Note

This story has a number of problems, and I more or less completely regret writing it. Thunderspite comes off as a shitty OC/Gary Stu, and it's almost irreconcilable. He's such a big piece of my headcanon though, I can't really see myself changing the story too much. I've been contemplating a first-person rewrite, but there are technical challenges there.

None of this has stopped me from working hard on two sequels, simultaneously.

Many thanks to those of you who have managed to make it this far, I know it was a slog.